Tourisme Montréal Blog » Operahttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog
Fri, 31 Jul 2015 19:13:05 +0000en-UShourly1Fall Into the Classical Artshttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/fall-into-the-classical-arts/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/fall-into-the-classical-arts/#commentsThu, 25 Sep 2014 17:08:58 +0000Isa Tousignanthttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=85192After letting the festivals take over the spotlight of summer entertainment, Montreal’s more classical culture institutions are revving up their programming for the new season. Expect operatic heights, symphonic grandeur and balletic prowess… [Opera] Opéra de Montréal launches its season with a grandiose production of Verdi’s Nabucco, presented in association with the Washington National Opera, Minnesota Opera and Opera Philadelphia. Catch the political romance until September 27, and then ready yourselves for the next treat they’ve got in store: the famous Barber of Seville by Rossini. Presented at Place des Arts on November 8, 11, 13 and 15, the jovial Italian opera features a love triangle and, in the lead role, the one and only Figaro, among the genre’s most famous characters. He will be played by homegrown baritone Étienne Dupuis, back in Montreal after an acclaimed run of the European stages. [Symphony] The Montreal Symphony Orchestra has a chock-a-block fall with a wide variety of musical events. This week, don’t miss Russian Passion on September 26 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ Salle Bourgie, a special program that brings together a pair of key works in the Russian repertory: one by Arensky written in memory of the cellist Karl... / Read More →

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After letting the festivals take over the spotlight of summer entertainment, Montreal’s more classical culture institutions are revving up their programming for the new season. Expect operatic heights, symphonic grandeur and balletic prowess…

[Opera] Opéra de Montréal launches its season with a grandiose production of Verdi’s Nabucco, presented in association with the Washington National Opera, Minnesota Opera and Opera Philadelphia. Catch the political romance until September 27, and then ready yourselves for the next treat they’ve got in store: the famous Barber of Seville by Rossini. Presented at Place des Arts on November 8, 11, 13 and 15, the jovial Italian opera features a love triangle and, in the lead role, the one and only Figaro, among the genre’s most famous characters. He will be played by homegrown baritone Étienne Dupuis, back in Montreal after an acclaimed run of the European stages.

[Symphony] The Montreal Symphony Orchestra has a chock-a-block fall with a wide variety of musical events. This week, don’t miss Russian Passion on September 26 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ Salle Bourgie, a special program that brings together a pair of key works in the Russian repertory: one by Arensky written in memory of the cellist Karl Davidov, and one by Rachmaninoff, in homage to Tchaikovsky. The next day, on September 27, it’s Symphonic Crossing, a special musical event themed around the solo voyage across the Atlantic, from Canada to France, by rower Mylène Paquette, featuring musical works chosen by Kent Nagano.

October is jam-packed for the OSM, with highlights including the Canadian International Organ Competition Gala Concert on October 19, celebrating in style the recent addition of the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique in the beautiful Maison symphonique. On October 31 and November 1, get your Halloween on with the OSM’s presentation of 1925 film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera by Rupert Julian, accompanied on organ by William O’Meara, improvising on the spot. Among the goodies played in November, two are not to be missed: The Voice of Romanticism, on November 19 and 20, featuring soprano Miah Persson singing pieces by Wagner, Schoenberg, Schubert and Strauss, as well as the Saint-Saëns’ Third Violin Concerto, featuring violinist Andrew Wan interpreting pieces by Mozart and Saint-Saëns, on November 26, 27, 29.

[Ballet] The Grand Ballets de Montréal kicked off its season with the Vaudevillian romp Léonce & Lena, a comical, high-colour production that you can still see until September 27. Afterwards comes Paquita, presented with the Paris Opera Ballet from October 16 to 19 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts. Directed by Pierre Lacotte, who first brought this forgotten piece back to the stage in 2001, the work features intrigue, abduction and family secrets – a suspenseful and exciting dramatic context for character dances and pantomime. Expect sumptuous sets and complex costumes to round out this colourful production set in 19th century Spain.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/fall-into-the-classical-arts/feed/0Things to Do in Montreal: March 28 – April 3http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-28-to-april-3/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-28-to-april-3/#commentsThu, 27 Mar 2014 18:02:28 +0000Robyn Faddenhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=66796Spring arrives in Montreal slowly but colourfully: the butterflies fly at the Botanical Gardens and Major League Baseball hits it out of the park, er, stadium, and the delicious joys of sugar shack season abound alongside international film, opera, art and dance, and mind-blowing rock shows… (seasonal eating) A Quebec tradition continues well into April as sugaring-off season brings maple-syrup sweetness to the table: eat everything from sausages and pancakes to meat pie and gourmet specialties at local sugar shacks or just outside the city, where walks in the woods and sleight rides round out the experience. Go for a traditional, fried-up British meal at the city’s best fish and chips restaurants or more refined fare at the city’s tea rooms. And trust Montreal’s wine bars and our guide on Where to Go Drink in Montreal for whatever wets your whistle. (spring fever) As the snow begins to melt on the Montreal streets, indoors at the Montreal Space for Life, spring is in full bloom – watch thousands of butterflies fly free at the Botanical Garden’s Main Exhibition Greenhouse until the end of April, and while there, visit the plants and animals at the Biodôme’s micro-ecosystems, look deep into outer space at the Planetarium.... / Read More →

Spring arrives in Montreal slowly but colourfully: the butterflies fly at the Botanical Gardens and Major League Baseball hits it out of the park, er, stadium, and the delicious joys of sugar shack season abound alongside international film, opera, art and dance, and mind-blowing rock shows…

(seasonal eating) A Quebec tradition continues well into April as sugaring-off season brings maple-syrup sweetness to the table: eat everything from sausages and pancakes to meat pie and gourmet specialties at local sugar shacks or just outside the city, where walks in the woods and sleight rides round out the experience. Go for a traditional, fried-up British meal at the city’s best fish and chips restaurants or more refined fare at the city’s tea rooms. And trust Montreal’s wine bars and our guide on Where to Go Drink in Montreal for whatever wets your whistle.(spring fever) As the snow begins to melt on the Montreal streets, indoors at the Montreal Space for Life, spring is in full bloom – watch thousands of butterflies fly free at the Botanical Garden’s Main Exhibition Greenhouse until the end of April, and while there, visit the plants and animals at the Biodôme’s micro-ecosystems, look deep into outer space at the Planetarium. For the first time in a decade, Major League Baseball will be played at the Olympic Stadium on March 28 and 29, the Toronto Blue Jays take on the New York Mets – there’s even an official tailgate party with beer, BBQ and DJs starting three hours before each game. Yet outdoor winter sports season isn’t quite over, at least in the city’s large parks: snowshoe and possibly even ice skate at Mount-Royal, Parc Jean-Drapeau, and Park Lafontaine – or head down to the Old Port of Montreal for some ice fishing.

(theatre & dance)Hänsel Und Gretel enthrals as the Opéra de Montréal, the National Circus School and the National Theatre School of Canada collaborate to bring the classic tale, with music by Engelbert Humperdink, to life – catch the final performance March 29 at Place des Arts. Also at PDA, the brilliant Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan performs Songs of the Wanderers, inspired by Herman Hesse’s novel Siddhartha and featuring 24 dancers, Georgian songs and 3.5 tonnes of rice, at Place des Arts, to March 29. For the kids, Disney’s Live Rockin’ Road Show makes a stop at Theatre St-Denis with a full cast of Disney favourites – see English-language shows on March 28 and 30. Famed Canadian filmmaker Norman McLaren merges with the dance world in dancer and choreographer Peter Trosztmer’s captivating homage, to April 12 at PDA. In theatre, the fast-talking, quick-selling style of David Mamet’s classic Glengarry Glen Ross adds its wit and colourful language to the Segal Centre stage, to March 30, while Old Montreal’s Centaur Theatre transports us to World War I era Montreal in David Fennario’s politicized drama Motherhouse. And Francophone performance festival Vue sur la Relève brings theatre, dance and music to multiple venues in the city beginning April 2.

(film & art) See an array of art films, on subjects ranging from painting to comic books to dance and music, during the final weekend of the 32nd edition of the International Festival of Films on Art - screenings include Mark Gatiss’s Horror Europa, Sylvie Collier’s Cuba-based dance film To Dance Like a Man, historical-footage music film Cracked Actor: David Bowie, doc Werner Herzog: Beyond Reason, a 360-degree projection of Escher’s Universe at the SAT dome, and much more. Christian Marclay’s must-see film-collage The Clock screens at Musée d’art contemporain and Albanian-born, Milan-based artist Adrian Paci’s film, painting, sculpture and installation work shows to April 20, while the joint exhibition of contemporary art, 1+1=1 is at the MMFA alongside Peter Doig’s beautiful painting exhibition, No Foreign Lands. Over 70 interactive media art exhibitions and performances at venues across the city mark the inaugural edition of Montreal Digital Spring, from March 21 to June 21. And Old Montreal factory-turned-gallery Darling Foundry shows Nicolas Lachance’s painting exhibition Framing Smoke and Thomas Bégin’s immersive sound installation of recycled musical equipment, Byte by Byte. And if you’re in the market for art, check out our Guide to Montreal’s Commercial Art Galleries.

(live music) Lots of ways to rock this Friday night: from the dude-bro pop of Hedley on March 28 at the Bell Centre to the indie-rock style How To Dress Well, with openers Forest Swords and D’Eon at the SAT, or opt for the nu-’80s excellence of Dum Dum Girls at Il Motore or Montreal’s solidly loud ‘n’ cool Solids, playing two shows March 28 and 29 with all kinds of rocked-out openers and DJ sets at TRH Club. On Saturday night, post-teen pop-star Miley Cyrus crashes Montreal’s Bell Centre, while LA-based DJ duo Classixx gets the dance floor hopping at the SAT. On Sunday, March 30, German legends in electronic music, Kraftwerk, let the computer love flow in a 3D spectacle at Metropolis, while NYC indie-pop (bordering on bubble-gum) band AJR plays Sala Rossa. On Monday, March 31, Austin, Texas indie-rockers Okkervil River bring the good ol’ times to Sala Rossa. On April 2, clean-cut pop-rock band R5 gets fans screaming at Metropolis, award-winning Montreal singer-songwriter Ian Kelly keeps toes tapping at Théâtre Corona, and Vancouver hip-hop SonReal shakes up Cabaret Underworld. On April 3, bad-boy Canadian rock star Hawksley Workman teams up with Steve Bays (of Hot Hot Heat) and Ryan Dahle (of Age of Electric) to form Mounties, joined by openers The Zolas and James Younger at Cabaret Mile-End, Quebecoise star soprano Karina Gauvin sings Britten and more with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent Mcmorrow, known for his cover of Steve Winwood’s Higher Love, comes to town with Aidan Knight at Club Soda.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-28-to-april-3/feed/0Things to do in Montreal this Spring 2014http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-this-spring-2014/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-this-spring-2014/#commentsWed, 26 Mar 2014 19:43:52 +0000Robyn Faddenhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=66583Spring has arrived in Montreal! And while the city keeps winter bright and busy with colourful light installations, arts and culture festivals and an array of winter sports, there’s nothing like the exuberance of spring and Montreal’s many and varied April and May activities… (outdoor traditions) Until the end of April, indulge in one of Quebec’s sweetest traditions: the sugar shack, where the maple syrup flows and the plates are piled high with ham, pancakes, omelettes, sausages, baked beans, tortière and more, depending on whether you visit a sugar shack dedicated to comfort foods or a gourmet outfit. The country-style sugar shack experience often includes forest walks, sleigh rides and other family-oriented activities. Experience nature outside and indoors at Montreal’s Space For Life, Canada’s largest natural science museum complex, home to the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Planetarium and Insectarium, where the butterflies fly free until April 27. And if you’re looking for an urban hike with great views, walk up Mount-Royal as the park becomes green once more – go all the way to the top to see downtown and the ice floes melting on the St-Lawrence River beyond. (fresh festivals) While fests make their mark throughout the year in Montreal, the... / Read More →

Spring has arrived in Montreal! And while the city keeps winter bright and busy with colourful light installations, arts and culture festivals and an array of winter sports, there’s nothing like the exuberance of spring and Montreal’s many and varied April and May activities…

(outdoor traditions) Until the end of April, indulge in one of Quebec’s sweetest traditions: the sugar shack, where the maple syrup flows and the plates are piled high with ham, pancakes, omelettes, sausages, baked beans, tortière and more, depending on whether you visit a sugar shack dedicated to comfort foods or a gourmet outfit. The country-style sugar shack experience often includes forest walks, sleigh rides and other family-oriented activities. Experience nature outside and indoors at Montreal’s Space For Life, Canada’s largest natural science museum complex, home to the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Planetarium and Insectarium, where the butterflies fly free until April 27. And if you’re looking for an urban hike with great views, walk up Mount-Royal as the park becomes green once more – go all the way to the top to see downtown and the ice floes melting on the St-Lawrence River beyond.

(fresh festivals) While fests make their mark throughout the year in Montreal, the city’s action-packed “festival season” officially begins in the spring, with all things literary and bookish blooming anew at Blue Metropolis, April 29 to May 4, New Francophone talents in theatre, dance and music show themselves at the 19th edition of Festival Vue sur la Relève, April 2-12, African and Creole film hits the screens at Vues d’Afriques, April 25 to May 4, the Montreal Chamber Music Festival highlights incredible international and local classical and jazz musicians, May 8-31, while at the end of the month new avant-garde theatre and dance performance from Quebec, Canada and around the world comes to Festival TransAmérique, May 22 to June 7, and the latest sounds and greatest legends in electronic music and digital arts make appearances as the Mutek and Elektra festivals combine their 15th anniversaries at EM15, May 28 to June 1.

(spring on stage) The Houston Ballet comes to Montreal with their version of Stanton Welch’s Marie-Antoinette, April 9-12, while Les Grands Ballet also presents the world premier of Stijn Celis’s newest creation Transfigured Night, May 15-24. Cirque du Soleil’s brand new show Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities transports us to an intriguing, antique-filled world where railroads and the telegraph still reign – opening April 24 under the big top circus tent at the Old Port of Montreal. Montreal dancer and choreographer Peter Trosztmer blends dance and moving images in an homage to filmmaker Norman McLaren, to April 12. Also presented by Danse Danse at Place des Arts, the Dietrich Group and choreographer-artist D.A. Hoskins’s challenging, joyous melange of dance, theatre and music The Land of F*ck (A Fable), April 14-19. And in early May, France’s Compagnie Oliver Dubois bares all in powerful contemporary work for 18 dancers, Tragédie.

Dance of a different sort comes to La Tohu May 2-3: Bust a Move is Canada’s biggest street dance competition, starring dancers from all over the world – this year also marks the debut of the Kids Battle, for children ages 8-12. And at the end of the month at La Tohu, graduates of the National Circus School show their skills in two all-new shows. In theatre, Amy Herzog’s family comedy-drama 4000 Miles tells a story of growing up and growing old, to April 20 at Centaur Theatre, while now-classic musical-drama 2 Pianos 4 Hands returns to Centaur April 29 to May 25. Contemporary British play Top Girls, about a woman newly appointed to executive status and the celebratory dinner party she throws, strangely attended by historical female figures, lights the stage at the Segal Centre, April 27 to May 18. And Geordie Productions makes Homer’s epic tales The Iliad (April 4-13) and The Odyssey (May 9-18) accessible for all ages.

(art comes alive) This spring, the MMFA welcomes art lovers to see the colourful paintings of Scottish artist Peter Doig to May 4, and presents a retrospective exhibition of innovative performances by multidisciplinary artists Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. Until the end of April, the MAC continues its fascinating exhibition of Albanian-born, Milan-based artist Adrian Paci’s film, painting, sculpture and installation work, and multi-artist exhibition Collages. The 2nd International Digital Arts Biennial, May 1 to June 19 at 30 Montreal art venues, explores the current state of contemporary digital arts. Meanwhile, the first edition of Montreal Digital Spring coincides with the Biennial, running until June 21 and bringing together over 70 artistic activities at venues in the city under a common umbrella of interactive media art, performances, round-table discussions, and more. Beginning April 4, DHC/ART welcomes the provocative, confrontational work of British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman – Come and See is the duo’s first major exhibition in North America.

(live music) Big names in rock and pop visit Montreal this spring too, beginning with headline-maker Miley Cyrus on March 29 at the Bell Centre and legendary electronic music makers Kraftwerk, whose live 3-D concert fills Metropolis with sound and light on March 30. World-renowned singer Nana Mouskouri stops at Place des Arts, April 5, while another legend, this time in blues history, Buddy Guy returns that same night to Metropolis, and masters of heaviness Black Sabbath are back, at the Bell Centre on April 7. Indie-rockers The Black Lips comes to Theatre Corona on April 21, James Blunt croons to fans’ content on April 23 at Metropolis, followed by Swedish electronic music duo The Knife on April 26. None other than Cher herself marks the advent of sunny days on April 27 at the Bell Centre, while electronic duo Moderat play live at Metropolis. Lana del Ray entices on May 3 at the Bell Centre and one of France’s biggest rock legends, Johnny Hallyday plays Place des Arts. M.I.A. may or may not incite controversy May 4 at Metropolis, followed by Scottish ambient music makers Mogwai on May 11. In the meantime, songstress Neko Case captivates at Theatre Corona on May 8. Rock out with George Thorogood and the Destroyers on May 17 at Metropolis, tap your toes to solo acts at the One Man Band Festival May 15-17. The operatic pop vocal group Il Divo roll into town on May 28 at Place des Arts, and Corey Hart brings us back to the ‘80s but doesn’t leave us there, playing songs old and new on May 31 at the Bell Centre.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-this-spring-2014/feed/0Things to Do in Montreal: March 21-27http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-21-27/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-21-27/#commentsThu, 20 Mar 2014 20:57:10 +0000Robyn Faddenhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=66204Now that it’s officially spring, Montreal is warming up to the idea with seasonal sugar shack menus, a few final ice skates and snowshoe adventures, hints of new life at Botanical Garden, fresh theatre, dance, art and film and enlivening music… (family activities) There’s still some snow and ice to take advantage of this week, especially at the city’s large parks: Mount-Royal, Parc Jean-Drapeau and Park Lafontaine, or try your hand at ice fishing in the Old Port. Spend time indoors and outside at Montreal’s Space For Life, home to the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Planetarium and Insectarium, where the butterflies fly free until April 27. Budding scientists can stop by the Science Expo competition at Tohu, March 20-22 – while there see Stock Photo Agency founder Jean-François Leblanc’s photo exhibition of Buddhist culture in Burma and the Myanmar. And learn how to Gogo and dance the Twist for free at Bal du Dimanche, March 23 at Place des Arts. On March 27, celebrate World Theatre Day by watching plays and puppetry at Place des Arts at noon and 4 pm. After all that activity, eat well at one of the city’s best family-friendly restaurants. (spring sugar hit) Take part in one... / Read More →

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Now that it’s officially spring, Montreal is warming up to the idea with seasonal sugar shack menus, a few final ice skates and snowshoe adventures, hints of new life at Botanical Garden, fresh theatre, dance, art and film and enlivening music…

(family activities) There’s still some snow and ice to take advantage of this week, especially at the city’s large parks: Mount-Royal, Parc Jean-Drapeau and Park Lafontaine, or try your hand at ice fishing in the Old Port. Spend time indoors and outside at Montreal’s Space For Life, home to the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Planetarium and Insectarium, where the butterflies fly free until April 27. Budding scientists can stop by the Science Expo competition at Tohu, March 20-22 – while there see Stock Photo Agency founder Jean-François Leblanc’s photo exhibition of Buddhist culture in Burma and the Myanmar. And learn how to Gogo and dance the Twist for free at Bal du Dimanche, March 23 at Place des Arts. On March 27, celebrate World Theatre Day by watching plays and puppetry at Place des Arts at noon and 4 pm. After all that activity, eat well at one of the city’s best family-friendly restaurants.

(spring sugar hit) Take part in one of the sweetest Quebec traditions: sugaring off season, when the maple syrup flows and local sugar shacks indulge our taste buds and fill our bellies. In the city, feast on sweet and savoury sugar-shack mainstays at La Cabane, Scena with chef Laurent Godbout, and Sparrow, among other restaurants, or take a brief drive outside the city for a rustic, traditional experience. For lighter fare and refined good times, check out the city’s tea rooms. Or pair great wine with great food at a top. If you’re still thirsty and pondering what drinking holes to hit in the city, look no further than our Where to Go Drink in Montreal infographic.

(theatre & dance) Get lost in a new production of Hänsel Und Gretel, a sparkling collaboration between Opéra de Montréal, the National Circus School and the National Theatre School of Canada – March 22, 25, 27 and 29 at Place des Arts. Meanwhile, Les Grands Ballets completes its successful run of Peter Quanz’s contemporary work Rodin/Claudel, a tale of tragic romance between French sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, to March 22 at Théâtre Maisonneuve. Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan wows with Songs of the Wanderers, inspired by Herman Hesse’s novel Siddhartha and featuring 24 dancers, Georgian songs and 3.5 tonnes of rize on stage, at Place des Arts, March 27-29. And dancer and choregorapher Peter Trosztmer merges body and moving images in an hommage to filmmaker Norman McLaren, March 27 to April 12 at PDA. In theatre, the whip-smart, scathing dialogue of David Mamet comes to the Segal Centre stage in drama Glengarry Glen Ross, to March 30 – and the Segal also hosts The Laugh Pack Late Show, a night of stand-up comedy on March 27 with Mike Paterson. Centaur Theatre in Old Montreal sheds light on everyday, working class life in Montreal during World World I in David Fennario’s politicized drama Motherhouse.

(art & film) The 32nd edition of the International Festival of Films on Art continues to March 30 at several venues in the city, featuring screenings of 270 films from 34 countries on a diversity of creative subjects, from painting to dance, music to comic books, including six-screen documentary Kraftwerk: Pop Art at the SAT on March 27. The inaugural edition of Montreal Digital Spring runs March 21 to June 21, featuring over 70 artistic activities at venues across the city, including interactive media art, performances, round-table discussions, and more. Christian Marclay’s film-collage The Clock screens at Musée d’art contemporain, while the Musée and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts team up on a joint exhibition of contemporary art, 1+1=1. Wander through Old Montreal over to the Darling Foundry to see Nicolas Lachance’s painting exhibition Framing Smoke and Thomas Bégin’s immersive sound installation of recycled musical equipment, Byte by Byte, in the main hall, a reclaimed factory space.

(live music) Prog-rock metal band Dream Theatre makes sure to be high-spectacle stop at Montreal’s Bell Centre on March 21, while American alt-rock band The Neighbourhood gathers fans at Metropolis and Irish rockers The Strypes and Stars & Sighs play Sala Rossa. Saturday night welcomes internationally recognized Canadian pianist Eve Egoyan to perform Michael Finnissy’s “Folklore” and more in a March 22 concert at Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur, while New Jersey indie-rockers Real Estate visit Il Motore, Dance Laury Dance shakes up Petit Campus, and Archive Montreal hosts its 15th anniversary benefit gala at Sala Rossa, featuring music by Jef Barbara, Pyongyang and Tony Ezzy. Get heavy on March 24 with guitarist Stephen O’Malley at Sala Rossa, or opt for the electronic pop of Australia’s Cut Copy at Théâtre Corona. On March 25, legendary British musician Gary Numan brings his guitar and synth heaviness to Café Campus. On Wednesday, March 26, none other than party master Andrew W.K. gets crazy at Foufounes Electriques, while hip-hop artist Childish Gambino (also known as actor Donald Glover) brings his Deep Web tour to Metropolis, and awesome Vancouver garage-rock duo The Pack AD and Alexei Martov play Casa Del Popolo. On March 27, RAC remixes popular indie-rock songs to our heart’s content at Théâtre Corona while Seattle singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen shares a lifetime of music making at Petit Campus.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-21-27/feed/0Things to Do in Montreal: February 28-March 6http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-february-28-to-march-6/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-february-28-to-march-6/#commentsThu, 27 Feb 2014 23:00:16 +0000Robyn Faddenhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=64285The city lights up this week for the all-night festivities of Nuit Blanche, a Quebec-made beer festival, internationally-acclaimed circus, theatre, dance and live music, and even keeps family spirits bright throughout spring break… (out all night) Montreal’s signature winter festival of fun, art, music and food, Montreal en Lumière continues to March 2, reaching its peak during the extremely-popular Nuit Blanche throughout the night of March 1. Visit the festival’s free outdoor site at Place des Festivals and ride the illuminated ice slide and ferris wheel, play games in the Kids’ Zone, dance along to live music, and see building-sized multimedia video projections. Nuit Blanche activities continue until 3 a.m. at the outdoor site and run later throughout the city, from the underground art-world of Art Souterrain to gallery-hopping in the Belgo Building to Old Montreal, the Plateau and Olympic Park. And just for Nuit Blanche, 19 downtown hotels offer discounts up to 50 percent off, including a late check-out time of 3 p.m. (family time) Spring Break, known in Quebec as March Break, means that until March 9, the city caters to keeping kids as happy and entertained as possible. Visit the Space for Life, next door to the Olympic Park and... / Read More →

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The city lights up this week for the all-night festivities of Nuit Blanche, a Quebec-made beer festival, internationally-acclaimed circus, theatre, dance and live music, and even keeps family spirits bright throughout spring break…

(out all night) Montreal’s signature winter festival of fun, art, music and food, Montreal en Lumière continues to March 2, reaching its peak during the extremely-popular Nuit Blanche throughout the night of March 1. Visit the festival’s free outdoor site at Place des Festivals and ride the illuminated ice slide and ferris wheel, play games in the Kids’ Zone, dance along to live music, and see building-sized multimedia video projections. Nuit Blanche activities continue until 3 a.m. at the outdoor site and run later throughout the city, from the underground art-world of Art Souterrain to gallery-hopping in the Belgo Building to Old Montreal, the Plateau and Olympic Park. And just for Nuit Blanche, 19 downtown hotels offer discounts up to 50 percent off, including a late check-out time of 3 p.m.(family time) Spring Break, known in Quebec as March Break, means that until March 9, the city caters to keeping kids as happy and entertained as possible. Visit the Space for Life, next door to the Olympic Park and home to the Biodome, Planetarium, Insectarium and Botanical Garden, where special activities are scheduled throughout the week. Get educated in creative new ways at Montreal’s big museums and galleries, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Pointe-à-Callière history museum. Indulge in the magic of Disney at Disney on Ice’s Let’s Party! show at the Bell Centre March 5-9. And stop by Montreal’s circus centre, La Tohu to see circus demonstrations, take part in hands-on workshops and outdoor winter activities, and stay into the evening to see Australian circus troupe Circus Oz’s captivating show From the Ground Up!, to March 9.(fab food & drink) The first Saturday of every winter month sees some of Montreal’s best food trucks roll into Olympic Park – on March 1, from noon until 6 p.m., have your fill of gourmet eats and California wine while having fun in the park’s Winter Village, all decked out for San Francisco-Inspired Nuit Blanche activities until 3 a.m. Really get to know Quebec’s hopping microbrewery and micro-distillery scene at the second edition of La Cuvée, held at Église St-Enfant-Jésus in the Plateau neighbourhood, February 28 to March 1, starting at 4 p.m. and open late for drinking, eating and dancing. And for fast, delicious food, check out any restaurant on one of our “Best of” lists, from Montreal’s 10 best sandwiches to the best Asian noodle dishes to warm up winter.

(stage & screen) Urban, modern and classic dance combine in NYC choreographer Kyle Abraham’s invigorating new dance show, Pavement, at Théâtre Maisonneuve March 6-8. Just For Laughs Festival alumni Bill Burr brings his strange, much-loved brand of comedy to Metropolis on March 5. China takes the spotlight at Place des Arts until March 1 as the Shanghai Jingju Company stages The Revenge of Prince Zidan, a Peking opera interpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. See the Roman Empire differently in Caligula_Remix, Marc Beaupré’s mix of storytelling, choral music, opera and drama, at Usine C. Don’t miss the newest work by politically-inclined, award-winning playwright David Fennario – Motherhouse, a drama set in Montreal during World War I, plays at Centaur Theatre. Black Theatre Workshop presents The Meeting, a fictional encounter between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, at the Segal Centre, to March 1, part of Black History Month. Catch the final few days of Quebec film festival Rendez-vous du Cinéma Québécois, to March 1. And visit the Musée d’art contemporain to see artist Christian Marclay’s remix masterpiece The Clock.

(music magic) Friday night features none other than Paul Simon and Sting performing their classic songs together at the Bell Centre. Classical music meets ambient electronic experimentation as Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber play as Tosca, with visuals by Ars Electronica Future Lab, at Le National, while one of Quebec’s favourite bilingual singer-songwriters, Kevin Parent, delights at Club Soda, and Red Bull Music Academy brings hip hop with Killer Mike, Araabmuzik and NWA’s DJ Yella, at the SAT. As part of Nuit Blanche, electronic music and arts fest Mutek commits to 15 hours of free music performances – until past 8 a.m. – by DJs and live musicians at Coeur des Sciences in the Place des Festivals. Canadian country-rock stalwarts Blue Rodeo perform at Place des Arts on March 2, while the World Kora Trio joins cello, kora, percussion and vocals in harmony at L’Astral. On March 3, Las Vegas alt-rock band Imagine Dragons swoops into town with the Naked and Famous, at the Bell Centre. Brian Burton of Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins collaborate as Broken Bells to play Metropolis on March 4. Soulful art-pop-Americana band Wakey!Wakey! comes to Cabaret Mile-End on March 5, while underground hip-hop label Stones Throw Records blows minds with music at the SAT, featuring label founder DJ Peanut Butter Wolf, along with J. Rocc, Jonwayne and Knxwledge. And California’s Young the Giant get loose at Metropolis on March 6.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-february-28-to-march-6/feed/0Things to Do in Montreal: January 31 to February 6http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-january-31-to-february-6/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-january-31-to-february-6/#commentsThu, 30 Jan 2014 19:15:20 +0000Robyn Faddenhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=61934Stay warm and entertained this week with quintessential winter activities, world-class music, film, dance, theatre and art – and comfort food to match! Not only is it Poutine Week, but Montreal’s food trucks make a winter appearance too… (winter celebration) Stay warm and have fun with friends and the family at Fête des Neiges de Montréal, a weekend of winter activities – from tobogganing to dogsledding – at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Or throughout the week, go ice skating to music at the Old Port or at the Olympic Parc’s Winter Village, featuring the added bonus of an array of edibles courtesy of Montreal’s food trucks on February 1. And party outside all weekend at Igloofest’s third weekend, with music from Sharam, Hot Since 82, Scuba and other top international DJs – come back on Thursday, February 6 to kick of the fest’s final weekend with Just Blaze, RL Grime and more. (poutine passion) Don’t just give Quebec signature dish poutine a try during your stay in the city but indulge in its many incarnations during the second edition of Montreal’s Poutine Week, February 1-7. Dozens of the city’s restaurants go to creative new lengths with fries, cheese, gravy and much more, all with dishes... / Read More →

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Stay warm and entertained this week with quintessential winter activities, world-class music, film, dance, theatre and art – and comfort food to match! Not only is it Poutine Week, but Montreal’s food trucks make a winter appearance too…

(winter celebration) Stay warm and have fun with friends and the family at Fête des Neiges de Montréal, a weekend of winter activities – from tobogganing to dogsledding – at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Or throughout the week, go ice skating to music at the Old Port or at the Olympic Parc’s Winter Village, featuring the added bonus of an array of edibles courtesy of Montreal’s food trucks on February 1. And party outside all weekend at Igloofest’s third weekend, with music from Sharam, Hot Since 82, Scuba and other top international DJs – come back on Thursday, February 6 to kick of the fest’s final weekend with Just Blaze, RL Grime and more.(poutine passion) Don’t just give Quebec signature dish poutine a try during your stay in the city but indulge in its many incarnations during the second edition of Montreal’s Poutine Week, February 1-7. Dozens of the city’s restaurants go to creative new lengths with fries, cheese, gravy and much more, all with dishes priced at $10 or less. Check out poutine mainstays like La Banquise and Poutineville, donuts and breakfast options at Icehouse, Chez Boris and Régine Café, Lola Rosa‘s hearty vegetarian dish, a fusion taste explosion at Japanese resto Imadake Izakaya, and more – and vote for your favourites online!

(stars of stage) Contemporary ballet star choreographer-dancer Wayne McGregor brings his sensual yet intellectual style to Montreal in FAR, an exploration of bodies – from neuroscience to almost elastic movement – performed by 10 dancers, presented by Danse Danse, February 6-9 at Place des Arts. Opéra de Montreal teams up with The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir for an enthralling performance of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, February 1-3 at Places des Arts. The Opéra also presents German tenor Jonas Kaufmann in an afternoon concert of opera arias on February 2 at Place des Arts. See the world premier of Arthur Holden’s witty play The Book of Bob, a contemporary retelling of the Book of Job, February 4 to March 2 at Centaur Theatre. Terrence McNally’s Tony-nominated Broadway musical The Full Monty, also comes to the Centaur courtesy of Beautiful City Theatre, January 30 to February 1. And Chekov’s classic tale The Seagull adds a splash of summer to the winter mix at the Segal Centre, to February 16.

(artistic happenings) Immerse yourself in the colourful world of artist Peter Doig, captured beautifully in new painting exhibition No Foreign Lands, at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Immersive in a different way is ObE, a360-degree, surround-sound multimedia project French artists Maotik and Fraction, at the SAT’s Satosphere dome. Montreal’s Chinatown lights up for Chinese New Year on January 31, while contemporary Chinese art can be seen at Place des Arts. On Saturday, February 1, Montreal artists rally against austerity measures at Cabaret Tollé, a wild evening of performance, video art, comedic moments, frivolous fun and a silent auction (including tickets to the almost-sold-out Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch dance show in November), at Sala Rossa. And on February 5, the Phi Centre screens Watermark, the stunning new environmental doc from photographer Edward Burtynsky and filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal, and Denis Villeneuve’s newest film, Enemy – free entry for both!

(live music) Las Vegas alt-rock band Panic! At the Disco waltzes into Metropolis on January 31. Haitian-born, Miami-based electronic music maker Michael Brun owns the Saturday night party at New City Gas, while Saskatchewan’s Northcote fuses classic country and hardcore punk at Cabaret Underworld. Mississippi garage-rock band Bass Drum of Death keep Casa del Popolo cool, as always, on February 2, while Los Angeles indie-folk band Lord Huron visits Cabaret Mile-End. Also that day, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Pro Music present pianist Louis Lortie playing Liszt’s Années de pèlerinage, while on February 5 and 6, Kent Nagano conducts the orchestra in Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 Song of the Night. On February 3, the UK’s Lanterns on the Lake charms with their shoegaze-like indie-rock at Divan Orange. And none other than Elton John and his band come to town to add sparkle and style to the Bell Centre on February 5. And on Thursday, February 6, hear the sweet pop-rock sounds of The Belle Game, The Darcys and Mori at Il Motore and the orchestral highs and emotional depths of Thee Silver Mt. Zion at the Rialto, or listen to the electronic creations of Boundary (Montreal producer Ghislain Poirier) and Montag at the Phi Centre, while Spanish electronic musician and producer John Talabot (a hit at last year’s Mutek festival) fills the dance floor at the SAT.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-january-31-to-february-6/feed/0Things to Do in Montreal: January 24-30http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-january-24-30/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-january-24-30/#commentsThu, 23 Jan 2014 20:34:03 +0000Robyn Faddenhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=61104The days may be chilly, but Montreal’s penchant for entertainment and lively activities never freezes: celebrate snowy sports with the family, settle in at the opera, see the light in new art at the museums and outside, and rock ‘n’ roll or dance late into the night… (outdoor adventures) Spend the weekend with the family at Fête des Neiges de Montréal, an activity-packed celebration of winter at Parc Jean-Drapeau, with tobogganing, skating, skiing, dogsledding, a zip line and more. The public art of Luminothérapie illuminates downtown’s Quartiers des Spectacles with a reflective “wheat field” and an animated video game playing on the side of seven buildings, while in the Latin Quarter, along St-Denis from Sherbrooke to de Maisonneuve, have some fun with your cell phone and Spheerie, a new interactive exhibition that lets you change the colour of trees along the street. Enjoy ice skating and more winter activities at the Olympic Parc’s Winter Village, and right next door see the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium’s galactic new public art exhibition Choreographies for Humans and Stars by artists Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat. (on stage) The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir joins Opera de Montreal, featuring the spectacular voices of Measha Brueggergosman and... / Read More →

The days may be chilly, but Montreal’s penchant for entertainment and lively activities never freezes: celebrate snowy sports with the family, settle in at the opera, see the light in new art at the museums and outside, and rock ‘n’ roll or dance late into the night…

(outdoor adventures) Spend the weekend with the family at Fête des Neiges de Montréal, an activity-packed celebration of winter at Parc Jean-Drapeau, with tobogganing, skating, skiing, dogsledding, a zip line and more. The public art of Luminothérapie illuminates downtown’s Quartiers des Spectacles with a reflective “wheat field” and an animated video game playing on the side of seven buildings, while in the Latin Quarter, along St-Denis from Sherbrooke to de Maisonneuve, have some fun with your cell phone and Spheerie, a new interactive exhibition that lets you change the colour of trees along the street. Enjoy ice skating and more winter activities at the Olympic Parc’s Winter Village, and right next door see the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium’s galactic new public art exhibition Choreographies for Humans and Stars by artists Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat.

(on stage) The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir joins Opera de Montreal, featuring the spectacular voices of Measha Brueggergosman and Marie-Josée Lord, for a new production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, January 25, 28 and 30 at Places des Arts. See the four-part Jeux de Cartes project from Robert Lepage and his company Ex Machina, made specifically for a circular stage and beginning with provocative theatrical show Pique, to January 25, followed by multigenerational story Coeur starting January 30, at circus centre Tohu. In contemporary dance, Tangente presents GENESIS, Montreal dancer-choreographer Thierry Huard’s work exploring gender and androgyny, to January 26, and choreographer Maria Kefirova’s new creation The Nutcracker on January 30 at Monument National, while Agora de la Danse presents Danièle Desnoyers’s dance-meets-music Duos pour corps et instruments, une [re]création, to January 25, and experimental dance company dance company La 2e Porte à Gauche takes over four hotel rooms for 2050 Mansfield-Rendez-vous à l’hôtel, January 25 and 27.(look and see) The brilliant, colourful work of painter Peter Doig comes to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in new exhibition No Foreign Lands, previously installed at the Tate Modern in London and the Musée d’art moderne of Paris. French artists Maotik and Fraction immerse viewers in their multimedia creation ObE, in all its 360-degree glory at the SAT’s Satosphere dome. On January 24, the Phi Centre screens Godfrey Reggio’s Visitors, an exploration of our emotional relationship with technology. And another kind of visual extravagance unfolds at the Montreal International Auto Show at the Palais des Congres to January 26.

(live music) Follow the trail of fame and fortune to the Bell Centre on January 24 as Jay Z brings the house/stadium down. Meanwhile, Igloofest’s second weekend continues outdoors at the Old Port with music from Misstress Barbara and Stephan Bodzin on Friday, and Claude Vonstroke, Justin Martin and more on Saturday. On Friday night, Montreal drone-meets-harmony masters Maica Mia release a new album at Sala Rossa. Rest up on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at the Phi Centre’s Les Siestes Acoustiques, featuring music by JP Nataf, Jeanne Cherhal and many more musicians. Bliss out on Saturday night to the many sounds of Esmerine and Michael Feuerstack at Sala Rossa, and rock out with former members of Le Tigre, JD Samson and Men, with Diamond Bones, at Il Motore. On Sunday, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Cristian Macelaru leads the Orchestre Métropolitain in their Latin Impressions performance of Latin and Spanish music. French musician Arthur H takes up residency at the Phi Centre January 29 to February 2, with project La construction d’un rêve, featuring free performances with Quebec musicians every day from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dr Dog plays indie-rock with a 60s-psychedelic twist at Cabaret Mile End on January 29, or catch of preview of the Festival of New Trumpet Music Canada (coming this March) as nine trumpet players take the cozy Résonance Café stage on January 29. And Igloofest gets its third weekend underway on January 30 with Foreign Beggers, Mimosa and more.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-january-24-30/feed/0THINGS TO DO IN MONTREAL: MARCH 15-21http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-15-21/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-15-21/#commentsThu, 14 Mar 2013 16:43:54 +0000Robyn Faddenhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=9063The middle of March in Montreal might be the perfect time to get our springtime engines revving, what with the city’s famed Saint Patrick’s Day parade (and associated celebrations), the height of sugaring-off season (mmm, maple syrup), and a new season of entertainment and live music in seemingly every venue in town… (go green) Whether you’re here this week to relax, party or keep the kids entertained at the tail end of March Break, Montreal’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations have something for everyone. The massive parade begins on Sunday, March 17, at noon and moves east for blocks but throughout the weekend many pubs, bars and restaurants, whether they’re officially Irish or not, offer up special St-Patty’s drinks and dishes. (sugar shack fun) Sugaring-off season is upon us and with it the return of fatty, syrupy sugar shack fare, done in traditional and gourmet styles or a mix of the two, such as at La Cabane, conveniently located in the Old Port, where you’ll also find outdoor activities like ice skating and ice fishing. Or get the real maple-syrup deal at the Montreal Botanical Gardens, where families can sample syrup on snow and find out where the sugary stuff comes from.... / Read More →

]]>The middle of March in Montreal might be the perfect time to get our springtime engines revving, what with the city’s famed Saint Patrick’s Day parade (and associated celebrations), the height of sugaring-off season (mmm, maple syrup), and a new season of entertainment and live music in seemingly every venue in town…

(go green) Whether you’re here this week to relax, party or keep the kids entertained at the tail end of March Break, Montreal’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebrationshave something for everyone. The massive parade begins on Sunday, March 17, at noon and moves east for blocks but throughout the weekend many pubs, bars and restaurants, whether they’re officially Irish or not, offer up special St-Patty’s drinks and dishes.

(sugar shack fun) Sugaring-off season is upon us and with it the return of fatty, syrupy sugar shack fare, done in traditional and gourmet styles or a mix of the two, such as at La Cabane, conveniently located in the Old Port, where you’ll also find outdoor activities like ice skating and ice fishing. Or get the real maple-syrup deal at the Montreal Botanical Gardens, where families can sample syrup on snow and find out where the sugary stuff comes from.

(on-stage spectacle) While March 16 brings UFC welterweight champion and local legend Georges St-Pierre to the Bell Centre along with six other UFC welterweight fighters in what’s sure to be one kind of grand spectacle, there’s also Rabbit in a Hat Productions’ boxing-centric Cornered, on at Bain St-Michel to March 17. Les Grands Ballets Canadiens presents Danz + Toot, a high-energy, highly contemporary program, March 14-23, the true story of Dead Man Walking is put into song by Opera de Montreal on March 16, and the true story of the “Queen of Gospel” is told in The Mahalia Jackson Musical, starring Montreal sensation Ranee Lee, at the Segal, to March 24. See contemporary dance Montreal-style at Agora de la Danse March 15-16 as choreographer Isabelle Van Grimde works with dancers, composers and musicians in Les Gestes. And lovely, luscious ladies from Montreal and across North America perform sexy, funny, circus-y burlesque of all sorts at cabaret Le Grand Burlesque Show, March 21-23 at Club Soda.

(film & art)The International Festival of Films on Art, March 14-24, screens documentaries, shorts and experimental films that focus on all forms of the arts: painting, sculpture, architecture, writing, dancing, music and more. Also check out free events such as the Zon’Arts exhibition at Place des Arts, where Diane Obomsawin’s animated films Fleur (2012) and Machine (2012) are being projected. For the full FIFA schedule and to buy tickets online, see the FIFA site. It’s also the last weekend to wander through Montreal’s underground city, connecting metro stations, office buildings and malls, to see the corridors adorned with intriguing art for Art Souterrain.

(music for march) The weekend opens with Montreal favourites Stars playing two magical nights at the Corona Theatre, March 15 and 16. Also on Friday, another Montreal favourite, Jerusalem in My Heart brings their unique, dramatic sound to Le National, and dance the night away to electro-beat of Mr. Oizo, A-Rock and Cherry Cola, at SAT. Saturday night is all disco all the time with the legendary Village People at L’Olympia. On Sunday night, mega-star Rihanna visits the Bell Centre on her Diamonds World Tour, with A$AP Rocky. On Tuesday, March 19, see Randy Bachman on his Vinyl Tap Tour, playing music and telling stories about the Guess Who and BTO, at Theatre Corona. Canadian rocker Matt Mays comes to Cabaret Mile End with with openers July Talk on March 20, while New York prog-rock-punk band Coheed & Cambria and A Place To Bury Strangers are at Club Soda.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-march-15-21/feed/0THINGS TO DO IN MONTREAL: NOVEMBER 30- DECEMBER 6http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-november-30-6-december/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-november-30-6-december/#commentsFri, 30 Nov 2012 21:51:53 +0000Robyn Faddenhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=7876December in Montreal begins with nothing short of fireworks on Saturday night, along with several other events that light up the city, from outdoor art to Christmas-tree festooned craft fairs – a few stars of comedy and music glitter even in our midst this week too.

]]>December in Montreal begins with nothing short of fireworks on Saturday night, along with several other events that light up the city, from outdoor art to Christmas-tree festooned craft fairs – a few stars of comedy and music glitter even in our midst this week too…

(hot shop) Shop for holiday gifts or yourself at the annual souk @ sat art and design fair – it’s hip, it’s cool, it’s very Montreal, with over 100 professional artists and designers selling unique clothing, jewellery, handbags, furniture, home accessories, toys, art and more. The sale happens November 30 to December 2 at the Société des Arts Technologiques downtown, where you can also stop for a bite at their FoodLab restaurant. Find more Quebec-made creations, from clothing to gourmet food, at Le Marché Casse Noisette, also known as The Nutcracker Market, a non-profit market co-organized by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens – it’s one of many of Montreal’s December craft and artisanal fairs. Environmentally conscious shopping meets eco-education and entertainment – including a Green Santa! – at the Recycling-Artists Eco Fair at the Biosphère ecological centre in Parc Jean-Drapeau, November 30-December 2. And in Mile End, check out Marché de Noël du Mile End at Ecole Lambert-Closse (5840 St-Urbain), November 30 until 9 p.m. and December 1, 10am-5pm., featuring food, gifts and more.

(winter wonderlands) Montreal’s first snowfall has come and gone already, but more picturesque snow days are certainly on their way – and with them, winter sports! The huge outdoor skating rink in the Old Port opens December 1 – if you get there before 11 a.m., skate for free! If you get there afterwards, it’s only $6 anyway, with rentals available on site too. Later on December 1, the TELUS Fire on Ice fireworks show lights up the sky over the Old Port starting at 8 p.m. And over at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, wander through an indoor forest of Christmas trees, decorated in different styles with traditional and hand-painted decorations by local associations and cultural groups. Access to the museum’s permanent collections is free at all times, as are the museum’s weekend art workshops and tours for kids and families.

(comedy gold) Some big names in comedy come to Montreal this week, but while Jerry Seinfeld’s December 1 at Place des Arts is sold out, there’s still a chance to see Robin Williams in freewheeling conversation with fellow comedian (and director and author) David Steinberg on December 5 at Place des Arts. Not only is Williams’ career in television, film and on stage on the interview agenda, but so is his personal life – sure to be strange, hilarious and entertaining. On a smaller but just as funny scale, New York City veteran comic Al Lubel treads the Montreal Comedy Works stage November 30 and December 1. And family-friendly circus, musical and epic adventure show Loucho the Clown continues at Theatre Ste-Catherine to December 2.

(immersive art) Montreal lights up throughout the month with Luminotherapie, works of high-tech art located throughout the Quartier des Spectacles in the downtown core. Follow the story of an iceberg in interactive installation Iceberg – human movement actually transforms the physical structure and the sounds within, and look out for the many videos of Le Jour des 8 Soleils, projected on buildings throughout the Quartier. Create a professional self-portrait at the WonderWall collective art project at ArtLab (5524 St-Patrick), all day December 1 and 2 – you don’t need any art experience to be a participant and all materials will be supplied. And the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal holds its Giant Inventory Sale of Musée Publications – all publications are on sale for $2, cash only – December 4-5.

(film lands) At the end of Montreal’s film festival season, we find a celebration: Image+Nation has spent 25 years bringing LGBT films from around the world to Montreal, with plenty of good ones this year too, playing at Cinema du Parc until December 2 – feature length dramas this weekend include Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean, Nicole Conn’s A Perfect Ending and more. Also at Cinema du Parc is Montreal’s Brazilian film festival, November 30-December 6, featuring premiers of new Brazilian films along with directors present for Q&A sessions after screenings.

(opera & theatre)Opera de Montreal holds its 17th annual Gala fundraiser with some of the companies most adored singers performing arias and ensembles from productions past and present – held at the beautiful new Maison symphonique de Montréal on Sunday, December 2 at 2 p.m. Meanwhile, in theatre, David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Good People, set in Boston’s working-class Irish “Southie” neighbourhood, continues at the Centaur to December 6. Contemporary painting gets the dramatic treatment in Red, based on the work and life of artist Mark Rothko, at the Segal Centre to December 16. And live it up with a night of vaudeville on December 6 at the Segal, with live music from Bad Uncle, comedians Mike Paterson, Tim Rabnet and Ryan Wilner, burlesque and circus acts, and more.

(dancing days) The fairytale of Snow White is turned into an urban, dreamy, often funny dance odyssey in Où est Blanche-Neige?, choreographed by Manon Oligny as part of this winter’s Parcours Danse events – see a free performance at Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme at Place des Arts on December 4 at 5 p.m. and a free performance of Alors, Dansez Maintenant! on December 5 at 11:45 a.m. Persian music and contemporary dance combine in Śūnya, at the Segal Centre on December 1. Dance Cité presents Nancy Leduc’s Projet Harlequin, inspired by reading Harlequin romance novels as a teenager, to December 8 at Théâtre de Quat’sous (100 Pins W.). And up-and-coming dancers perform short pieces at the Bouge d’ici Mash Up, hosted by Miss Sugarpuss on November 30 at Shift Space (1190 St-Antoine W.).

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/things-to-do-in-montreal-november-30-6-december/feed/1OPERA DE MONTREAL CELEBRATES WAGNERhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/opera-de-montreal-celebrates-wagner/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/opera-de-montreal-celebrates-wagner/#commentsThu, 01 Nov 2012 19:28:05 +0000Isa Tousignanthttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=7593Opéra de Montréal brings a bit of Germany to Montreal with Wagner’s famous Flying Dutchman, on the eve of the 200th anniversary of his birth…

]]>Opéra de Montréal brings a bit of Germany to Montreal with Wagner’s famous Flying Dutchman, on the eve of the 200th anniversary of his birth…

Launching its 2012-13 season on a high note, Opéra de Montréal brings Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman to the Place des Arts’s Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, at the epicentre of the city’s cultural scene. So get a sitter, make dinner reservations and don your finery! You’re going out for a night on the town.

This story of love and death, desire and redemption tells the story of a girl named Senta, who’s engaged to dude named Erik. Problem is, Senta spends her time daydreaming of the Flying Dutchman, the Robert Pattinson of 18th century Norway – a dark and dapper legendary seaman who’s said to have made a pact with the devil. He’s condemned to roam the seas for eternity – unless he meets a woman who promises that she’ll be forever faithful. Little does Senta know that to Erik’s chagrin, Senta’s sailor dad met the Flying Dutchman on his last voyage and promised him his daughter’s hand.

A wedding is in the works… but Erik ruins the party by reminding Senta of her promise to him. The Dutchman overhears the conversation and, in operatic despair, hurriedly weighs anchor when, in a final act of loyalty, Senta faces death to save her forbidden love from his sentence of damnation.

Musically speaking, the story is spiced with roaring duets and rousing choruses; standout moments include the Dutchman’s first aria, in which he bemoans his immortality despite many efforts to end his life; Senta’s passionate ballad, which pushes the singer’s voice to new heights; and a great chorus in which sailors and young girls call out to the Dutchman’s crew. The music throughout is overlaid with the sound of waves from the moment the curtain rises, a penetrating rhythm that wraps around every word and note.

As a guarantee of authenticity, Opéra de Montréal has brought in the lead performers direct from Germany: bass-baritone Thomas Gazheli will take the starring role of the Dutchman, alongside soprano Maida Hundeling as Senta, while her poor sap of a fiancé Erik will be played by tenor Endrick Wottrich. Each of the four performances starting November 10 will be preceded with a pre-opera talk at 6:30 pm by musicologist Pierre Vachon (in French with a summary in English), in the Piano Nobile room in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier.

This is just the first quarter of the opera season, of course – up ahead there’s some Strauss, Dead Man WalkingbyHeggieand Manon byMassenet… so stay tuned! No pun intended.